Lid for grease-cups



J. H- MILLER- LID FO'R GREASE CUPS. APPLICATION FILED 05c. 17, 1919.

Patented May 25, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB H. MILLER, F CRESSON, PENNSYLVANIA.

-- i H LID FOR GREASE-CUPS.

of my Patented May 25, 1920.

Appllcation flled December 17, 1919. Serial No. 345,557.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB H. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cresson, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lids for Grease-Cups, of which the followin is a specification, reference being had to t e accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to lids for grease cups and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character having novel and improved means whereby the same may be readily applied to and effectually held in working position and which means also permits the lid to be readily removed when the occasions of practice ma require.

. nother object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the lid is provided with a follower which, when the lid is in applied position, is constantly urged in a direction away from the lid.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved lid of this general character provided with a latch mechanism operable to engage the cup to maintain the lid in applied position and wherein said mechanism includes manually operated means for adjusting or moving said latch mechanism into or out of working position, together with means for normally maintaining said mechanism in either of said positions. a i

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of theseveral parts of my improved lid forgrease cups whereby certain important advantages aer attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. a

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a lid constructed in accordance with an embodiment invention and in applied position. of the lid L so that said lid may be readily Fig. 2 is a. view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating a lid constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention in a position free of the cup with which it coacts.

Fig. 3'is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrow; and

Fig. 4 is a view partly in top plan and partly in section of the lid as herein disclosed.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, C denotes a grease cup of a type particularly employed in connection with the side rods of a locomotive to lubricate a crank pin coacting therewith although I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to this particular use. The inner wall of the cup C at substantially diametrically opposed points is divided with the bayonet slots 1. point and at a point below and adjacent to the closed end of each of the slots 1, the inner face of the cup C is provided with a pocket or recess 2 which serves as a keeper for a latch member or bolt 3.

Ldenotes a lid for the cup C and which snugly fits within end of the cup C. The outer end of the lid L is provided with. an outstanding flange 4 which rests upon the adj aoent end of the cup C and flange 5 carried by the cup. At substantially diametrically opposed points, the lid L adjacent its inner face is provided with the outstanding lugs 6 which engage within the bayonet slots 1.

At substantially its axial center, the lid L is provided with an opening 7 through which is directed a stem 8, said stem 8 being capable of rotary or rocking movement. The stem 8 extends beyond the inner face'of the lid L and secured to said inner end portion of the stem 8 .is a crosshead 9 to the opposite end portions of which are pivotally engaged, as at 10, the inner extremities of the latch members or bolts 3. The latch members or bolts 3 have their outer end portion slidably disposed through the guide members or loops 11 depending from the lid L. By rocking or rotating the stem 8 in the desired direction, the members or bolts 3 will. be either extended or retracted.

When the lid L is applied to the cup C, the members or bolts 3 are retracted with their outer ends inwardly of the periphery of the lid L so that said lid may be readily inserted within the cup C. \Vhen the lid L is inserted within the cup C, the lugs 6 are the outer or upper open engaged within the bayonet slots 1. Upon \Vhen the lid L is applied to the cup (7. a slight rotation of the lid L, the lug 6 the follower F bears against the grease (it comes into contact with the inner or closed or other hard lubricant within the cup (,3

ends of the slots 1 and when in this position the mem ers or bolts 3, when extended, will engage within the recesses or pockets 2 whereby the lid L is effectively held against accidental displacement. The outer or upper portion 8 of the stem 8 is ai'igular in cross section and is operatively engaged with an operating knob or head 12. The inner end of the head 12 is provided with a socket l4 surrounding a part of the portion 8 of the stem.

15 denotes a finger through one end por tion of which is freely directed the portion 8 of the stem 8, said finger moving with the portion 8 upon rotation of the stem but capable of independent movement longitudinall y of the portion 8 The finger 15 coacts with the outer face of the lid L and is constantly urged toward said outer face of the lid L by an expansible member 16 herein disclosed as a coil spring encircling the portion 8 of the stem 8 and interposed between the finger l5 and the inner or closed end of the socket 14.

The outer face of the lid L is provided with a pair of grooves or channels 17 converging toward the opening 7 and merging at their converging extremities. The adjacent Walls of the grooves or channels 17 are beveled or inclined one toward the other, as indicated at 18, and affording therebetween a high point a. The finger 15 normally seats in one of the grooves or channels 17 whereby the stem 8 is held against rotation. VVhen the knob or head 12 is turned, as by hand, to either extend or retract the members or bolts 3, the finger 15 rides over the high point a and seats within the second groove or channel 17 so that the members of bolts 3 are locked in the second position. In order to facilitate the requisite movement of the finger 15 lengthwise of the portion 8 of the stem 8, I find it of advantage to provide the inner face of the knob or head 12 with a circumferentially disposed recess 01' notch 19 which the finger 15 underlies. This notch 19 affords sufficient clearance for the movement of the finger 15 in a direction away from the lid L when said finger 15 is passing over the high point a.

Depending from the lid L substantially in radial alinement are the elongated members 20 slidably disposed freely through the follower F and terminating in the enlargements or heads 21 whereby the follower F is held against displacement. Interposed between the follower F and the lid L are the eXpansible members 22 herein disclosed as coil springs encircling the members 20 and which operate to urge the follower F in a direction away from the lid L and inwardly of the cup C.

and the springs 20 placed under compression whereby the follower F serves to materially facilitate the discharge of the grease or other lubricant from the cup.

It is to be particularly noted that the follower F underlies the head 5) and the mem bers or latches 3 so that said follower offers no obstruction or hindrance to ihc operation thereof.

With a lid constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention. it is unnecessary to employ threads to maintain the lid in applied position as is now generally done and whereby it is unnecessary to cmploy a wrench or other tool to apply or remove the lid or to adjust the lid to facilitate the requisite discharge of the grease or lubricant. ll ith the use of my improved lid, it is also unnecessary to employ busliings are now often employed in the event the threads for maintaining the cup and lid assembled become unduly worn.

lVith the use of the general type of grease cups and lids assembled by threads. it often occurs that the lids fall off, permitting the grease or lubricant to be shaken out, and it also often occurs with this character of lid and cup that the lid is forcibly thrown from applied position. with liability of disastrous results. lVith my improved. lid, these decided disadvantages are effectually overcome and especially when the same is employed in connection with the side rods of a locomotive. v

From the foregoing description. it is thought to be obvious that a lid for grease cups constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof. and for this reason. I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts he ein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture. a lid for a grease cup comprising a follower supported for movement in a direction away from the lid to exeft pressure on the grease within a cup,means for urging said follower in such direction, and means supported by the lid between said lid and the follower adapted to engage a cup to hold the lid in applied position.

2. As a new article of manufacture. a lid for a grease cup. a latching means carried thereby and adapted to engage a cup when extended, a stem disposed through the lid and rotatably supported thereby, said stem being operatively engaged with the latching means to engage the same with or disengage the same from the cup upon rotation of the stem, a holding member slidably mounted upon the stem but rotating therewith, and means for constantly urging said member in contact with the lid, said member coacting with the lid for normally holding the stem against rotation.

3. In combination with a grease cup provided with substantially opposed recess in its inner face, a lid for said cup, a stem disposed through said lid, latch members carried by the lid, said latch members being operatively engaged with the stem so that said latch members are either extended or retracted upon requisite rotation of the stem, said latch members when extended engaging within the recesses of the cup, and means carried by the stem and coacting with the lid for normally holding the stem against movement when the latch members are either in extended or retracted position.

4:. In combination with a grease cup provided with substantially opposed recess in its inner face, a lid for said cup, a stem disposed through said lid, latch members carried by the lid, said latch members being operatively engaged with the stem so that said latch members are either extended or retracted upon requisite rotation of the stem, said latch members when extended engaging within the recesses of the cup, and means carried by the stem and coacting with the lid for normally holding the stem against movement when the latch members are either in extended or retracted position, said cup being also provided with bayonet slots, the recesses of the on being positioned adjacent the closed ends 0 the bayonet slots, said lid having lugs engaging within the bayonet slots, said latch. members being so positioned upon the lid to engage within the recesses when the lugs of the lid are at the closed ends of the slots.

As a new article of manufacture, a lid for a grease cup, latch members carried thereby and adapted to engage a cup when extended, a stem disposed through the lid toward the lid, said face of the lid being provided with a pair of grooves, said finger seating in one of said grooves when the latch members are either extended or retracted.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a lid for a grease cup, latch members carried thereby and adapted to engage a cup when extended, a stem disposed through the lid and rotatably supported thereby, said stem being operatively engaged with the latch members to extend or retract the same upon rotation of the stem, a finger engaged with the stem for rotation therewith but having independent movement longitudinally thereof, said finger overlying a face of the lid, 7 5

means for constantly urging the finger toward the lid, said face of the lid being provided with a pair of grooves, said finger seating in one of said grooves when the latch members are either extended or retracted,

the adjacent walls of the grooves being inclined one toward the other and affording a high point between the grooves.

7. s a new article of manufacture, a lid for a grease cup, a latch mechanism carried thereby for coaction with a cup when the lid is applied, said mechanism including an operating stem extending through the lid, a finger carried by the stem and moving therewith upon rotation of the stem, said finger having independent movement longitudinally of the stem and yieldable means for constantly urging the finger toward the lid,

said lid being provided with recesses, said finger seating in one of the recesses when the stem is at the limit of its rotary movement in either direction whereby said finger V normally holds said stem against rotary movement in the opposite direction.

' In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature.

JACOB H. MILLER. 

